Match preview: Manchester United v Everton
Everton travel to Manchester United for another Sunday game this weekend. So what are the Blues chances of victory?
Old Trafford has never been a happy hunting ground for the Blues and in fact Everton have only won there once in the Premier League era.
The Blues opponents are though having a testing season with the team and manager Jose Mourinho, in particular, under intense media scrutiny.
Their league form has been indifferent and United have failed to find any consistency so far this campaign.
They are also coming off the back of a chastening defeat at home to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
All this should give Everton hope that they can overcome recent history and take the points on Sunday.
However although the Toffees are on a good run of three wins in a row, they need to be careful of a possible backlash from United on Sunday.
Everton have a bad habit of being just the team other sides need to play when they are on a poor run. And there are other reasons to be wary too.
Romelu Lukaku has not had a hugely successful time since his £75 million move from the Blues to United in 2016.
He’s scored goals from time to time without ever really looking as though he can become the kind of talismanic centre-forward that United are looking for. There is certainly pressure on him to justify that huge transfer fee.
And he’s currently on a barren run of games without a goal so of course what are the chances of him ending that drought against the Toffees!
Let’s take a closer look at the Toffees opponents then.
The Old Trafford club have had a very inconsistent season and that is reflected in their league position 10th, exactly midway in the table.
They have scored plenty of goals but the problem has been at the back where United have given up 16 against. In fact their season has been similar to Everton in that they have at times looked a genuine threat going forward but have often also let in soft goals at the other end, which has undermined them.
However while the Blues have tightened up defensively in recent weeks, United are still struggling to find the right players and tactical formation there.
And again like Everton they have had disciplinary problems this season having picked up 23 yellow and three red cards already.
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Jose Mourinho’s side are also likely to be without Alexis Sanchez on Sunday, although he’s hardly set Old Trafford alight since his move from Arsenal. United also have the distraction of all the uncertainty around goalkeeper David de Gea’s new contract talks.
So given all that and United’s defensive frailties, Everton would be best to take the game to their opponents. And I’m sure that with Marco Silva’s attacking instincts, the Blues will go and try to get the points. Everton have looked a good counter-attacking side as well.
However their increased defensive solidity will surely be tested at least to some degree by United. I think there will be goals at Old Trafford and although I’m hoping for all three, I’ll settle for a point against United.